In a refreshing approach to promoting physical activity and fostering vibrant schoolyard  dynamics, Ruakākā Primary School has introduced a series of initiatives that have taken its  playground experience to new heights. Spearheaded by an enthusiastic staff member, these initiatives not only provide an opportunity for tamariki to engage in unstructured play but also offer a unique blend of fun and fitness. 

The school’s journey into redefining play began with the introduction of their self made Play Box and Physical Activity kits. The Play Box concept aimed to provide tamariki with a variety of equipment beyond traditional sports gear. The driving force behind this initiative was a desire to ensure all tamariki, regardless of their interests, have the chance to engage in playful activities during break times. The Play Box also served as a solution to the challenge of limited space, following the development of new classrooms which now take up a large area of the school’s fields, giving tamariki a new way to engage with their environment to participate in activities of their choice. 

The Play Box sought to create a space where participation was inclusive, safe and varied for younger tamariki who were hesitant to get involved in other activities and spaces while they were finding their feet amongst a busy school with lots of active, older tamariki. 

By allowing children the freedom to choose their activities and ensuring the equipment was easily accessible, the Play Box became a hit among students. The introduction of student play advocates and sports monitors further enhanced the experience, encouraging children to join in the activities and providing assistance when needed. Due to a rise in the school roll along with the addition of the Play Box, a kaiako is allocated to the Play Box as part of their duty on the lunchtimes that it is utilised. This is currently three lunchtimes a week, creating consistency but keeping the novelty of it alive. Other options such as Jump Jam are offered on the days the Play Box isn’t there. 

Addressing the need for a more organised distribution of sports gear, the school also implemented a system for allocating equipment during lunch breaks. This initiative aimed to streamline the process, ensuring that sports gear was readily available while maintaining order and responsibility. 

Sports monitors played a crucial role in managing the distribution,  creating a seamless and efficient system of signing out gear at the beginning of break times and signing back in at the end. 

Integrating physical activity during curriculum time was another aspect that was reassessed.  Understanding the challenge teachers faced in organising physical activity during class time, the school introduced Physical Activity Kits (PA Kits). These kits were designed not only to make gear easily accessible but also to empower teachers with the tools and knowledge to integrate physical activity into their classes. The initiative not only promoted physical wellbeing but also reduced the barriers for teachers, making it easier to engage students in active regular breaks. 

Feedback from kaiako includes gold such as the PA kits being handy due to ease of access, how not needing to go and find the gear removes that barrier, knowing what gear they have so can they plan around it, how they can use these resources for other areas in class, they are time efficient 

(not having to go to the PE shed), compact/easy to take anywhere in the school, how they bring a bit of fun to the day and that they have been great for neurodiverse students, and help them with building Te Whare Tapa Wha. They also created an opportunity to throw physical activity over to the kids to come up with ideas and be creative.

The Play Box, lunchtime sports gear distribution, and PA Kits were introduced simultaneously, and funded through a collaborative effort. Despite initial challenges,  including logistics and gear availability, the rollout was well-executed. Staff meetings and practical sessions helped ensure that teachers were not only aware of the initiatives but also equipped with the necessary skills to incorporate them into the school day. The rollout of the PA kits was supported by the Sport Northland Healthy Active Learning team who spent time running through sessions with individual classes and talked to kaiako about the games, the gear, cross curricular links as well as adaptations that could be made to ensure all tamariki are able to participate. At the end of the day, a full staff session was run to go through the logistics of rolling these PA kits out and talk through possible challenges that they may face. 

The success of these initiatives was attributed to their school-wide implementation, with enthusiastic support from the school’s leadership team and the wider school staff. The Play Box, in particular, became a focal point for students, providing a safe and engaging space for unstructured play. The school plans to continue refining and expanding these initiatives, with ongoing efforts to replenish and diversify play equipment, engage teachers through regular upskilling, and explore the possibility of integrating these activities into staff meetings. 

This school’s innovative approach to play has not only transformed break times but has also created a positive impact on the overall school culture. By prioritising inclusivity,  accessibility and teacher involvement, the initiatives have become an integral part of the school’s commitment to the wellbeing and active engagement of its students. 

Story Written by Sport Northland Healthy Active Learning team.